Patients Stories

Colt

Being two years old means being inquisitive, and not necessarily understanding of what might be more harm than fun. Colt Thomas Chambers was two on the day he and his parents had a first-hand experience with HALO-Flight, and the rattlesnake that found Colt in the yard.

The family was enjoying a pleasant South Texas December afternoon in the yard when tragedy struck. Colt had just turned two the month before, and when he screamed out, the family swept him up and sped him to the hospital.
Following exhaustive treatment, HALO-Flight was called for transport to the closest pediatric center in hopes of saving his young life.

“A huge weight came off my shoulders,” said Amanda Valverde Chambers, Colt’s Mother, “when I saw the flight crew coming down the hall. I knew he was going to be in good hands and I was able to relax.”

The flight was fraught with skilled medical interventions, according to the Flight Nurse on board. Upon arrival at Driscoll Children’s Hospital, the flight crew, who had called ahead, was greeted by HALO-Flight Board Member Dr. Jay Koska, DCH Anesthesiologist and Critical Care Medicine Physician.
During his hospitalization, Colt made a remarkable recovery despite the cascade of events that made it such a challenging case, explained Ryan Kelley, one of the HALO-Flight medical crew who helped treat and transport Colt to the Hospital. Kelley even visited him in the Hospital a few days later. “When I walked in the door, he sat up in the bed. I just teared up,” said Kelley.

Two days in ICU, followed by five more in the hospital was how the Chambers family geared up for the holidays; but the Christmas Eve discharge was the gift the family wanted most.

None of us knows when tragedy will strike. Being prepared for the unexpected is one way to help protect yourself and your family from the high cost of life-saving care.